Kenali Diare DM

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Diarrhoea (or diarrhea) is when you pass looser or more frequent stools than you do normally. It can be unpleasant, but it's common in people of all ages and is usually nothing to worry about unless it persists and you become dehydrated. In most cases, the cause of diarrhoea is an infection of the bowel, otherwise known as gastroenteritis. For most adults, diarrhoea will clear up in 2-4 days, without the need for treatment.

During this time, good hygiene is essential to avoid prolonging the symptoms and passing harmful germs on to others – see our prevention tips below for more information.

If you have persistent diarrhoea, it can be a symptom of a more serious health issue. You should visit your GP so a doctor can establish a cause.

Penyebab

What causes diarrhoea?

In general, diarrhoea infections are spread through the consumption of contaminated food and water (hence diarrhoea after eating), by dirty hands, or direct contact with faecal matter. Many different types of bacteria viruses and parasites can cause gastroenteritis and subsequently diarrhoea. Some common ones include:

• Bacteria. E.g. Salmonella or Escherichia (E. coli)
• Viruses. E.g. Norovirus or rotavirus
• Parasites. E.g. Giardia intestinalis

However, other factors can be to blame such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, food allergies, antibiotics or laxatives.

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What are the symptoms?

You may experience one or more of the following:

• Watery stools
• Upset stomach or cramps
• Urgent need to use the toilet
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration

For adults, if you have any more severe symptoms or your diarrhoea lasts longer than a week, speak to your healthcare provider.

Bouts of diarrhoea usually clear up after a few days, however, during this time it’s important not to become dehydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids. You may want to consider taking an oral rehydration solution (ORS). These usually come in sachets and are dissolved in water to replace the minerals and salts that you have lost.

Try to eat as normal, but keep meals short and light. Avoid rich, spicy, salty or sugary foods. For babies with diarrhoea, you should continue to feed/breastfeed them as normal.

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How can I prevent diarrhoea?

Practice good hand hygiene:

Remember to wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, and before and after preparing and eating food - if you are out and about and can't get to a tap, try Dettol Hand Sanitiser to kill 99.9% of germs.

Toilet hygiene:

After bouts of diarrhoea it is also important to keep the area around the toilet clean and regularly touched surfaces (such as the seat, lid, flush handle should be cleaned and disinfected regularly).

Cloths used to clean the toilet and toilet areas should not be used for cleaning other areas of the home.

Clean and disinfect food preparation surfaces: After preparing food (especially raw meat, fish or eggs),use a disinfectant spray or wipe on any kitchen surfaces that you’ve used. Dirty utensils, cutlery and crockery can be cleaned with detergent and hot water.

Take extra care when someone in your family is suffering from diarrhoea:

• Avoid sharing cutlery, utensils, towels and other personal care items such as flannels and sponges with other household members
• Those suffering from diarrhoea should avoid preparing food for others
• Clean and disinfect your toilet, including the toilet seat and toilet flush, after each bout of diarrhoea
• Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water
• Wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared up before returning to work or school

Toilet hygiene:

After bouts of diarrhoea it is also important to keep the area around the toilet clean and regularly touched surfaces (such as the seat, lid, flush handle should be cleaned and disinfected regularly).

Cloths used to clean the toilet and toilet areas should not be used for cleaning other areas of the home.

Clean and disinfect food preparation surfaces: After preparing food (especially raw meat, fish or eggs),use a disinfectant spray or wipe on any kitchen surfaces that you’ve used. Dirty utensils, cutlery and crockery can be cleaned with detergent and hot water.

Take extra care when someone in your family is suffering from diarrhoea:

• Avoid sharing cutlery, utensils, towels and other personal care items such as flannels and sponges with other household members
• Those suffering from diarrhoea should avoid preparing food for others
• Clean and disinfect your toilet, including the toilet seat and toilet flush, after each bout of diarrhoea
• Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water
• Wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared up before returning to work or school